“For all eternity, may happiness and peace be as abundant in your
heart as your goodness and sweetness so rightfully deserves….
The LORD will give strength unto His people;
The LORD will bless His people with peace.”
Psalm 29:11
So reads the inscription written by my father to my mother in her Bible eight years prior to my adoption into the Ennis family. My mother’s prayer was much like Hannah’s recorded in 1 Samuel 1:10-19. She greatly desired a child; however, a hysterectomy at an early age rendered the desire biologically impossible. The Lord, nonetheless, said “yes” to her heart’s desire and allowed the assimilation of a daughter into their childless household through adoption.
Certainly He knew what type of parents I would need…an abandoned child with very poor health, I would not have survived in a household where I was not tenderly monitored. My parents had already done their “fun things” and were happy to stay at home and nurture the child for whom they had earnestly prayed.
I only had my mother for twenty three years of my life. However, her example of loving motherhood impacted me significantly. Though my gracious heavenly Father deemed I would be more effective for His Kindgom single rather than married, by example she taught me how to be honored in my role of spiritual motherhood to many. The actions making the greatest contribution include:
Teaching by example. Mother loved her home and made it a prepared place for those who belonged there. She spent time transferring her skills and abilities to me rather than simply doing the tasks and allowing me to benefit from them (Titus 2:3-5).
Practicing selflessness. Beginning with my adoption into the Ennis family, she willingly sacrificed for me through material resources, time, and energy (Prov. 31:15, 20, 27).
Displaying the attributes of love. Rather than simply exhorting me to love others, she consistently modeled love’s attributes through her tender nurturing and care (1 Cor. 13, 1 John 3:18).
Transferring godly values and standards. The values and standards she and my father instilled in me guided me when I no longer had their parental influence (my mother went to be with the Lord when I was 23 and my father when I was 18). Consistently, she modeled the character qualities that she wanted me to assimilate (1 Cor. 4:16; 11:1).
As you read this description of my mother, numerous thoughts may be filtering through your mind—I have or had a mother just like that; my mother was not anything like what you described; I am single or have not been able to conceive, so what you wrote does not apply to me. You are blessed if your mother was a mirror image of mine, and you have no reason for self-pity if our gracious, heavenly Father said “no” to a godly mother, husband, or children. Regardless of your heritage or marital status, if you are a Christian, Titus 2:3-5 clearly instructs you to be a spiritual mother. I pray that you are joyfully accepting this role. As well, I know you will be blessed by Kelsey’s Korner as she shares with you her unfolding joys of physical motherhood! Kelsey and Caleb are pictured below.
KELSEY’S KORNER
Mother’s Day is just around the corner, and as we near the day, my heart is filled with bitter-sweet emotions. Though I am overjoyed to spend a day rejoicing in my new role as “Mama,” I am grieved to not celebrate the day with my own mother, who left her burden of cancer and went to be with Christ in 2018. My mother was unique, unmatched in her selflessness, kindness, and patience with her children and all she encountered. She loved being a mother. No matter what she did outside the home, whether it was her work as a college professor, her evangelistic ministries, or her Tuesday/Thursday Pilates classes, her focus and greatest joy was her family. Now that I, too, am a mommy, I strive to mimic the example laid before me.
In my section of this post, I desire to share the innumerable blessings of physical motherhood. To those who are unable to have biological children, due to marital status or ability, my intention is not to discredit the current role God has given you. As believers, we recognize the gift of singleness and the unhindered service to God this status affords (1 Cor. 7:32-35) and we recognize the incredible gift of adoption. Instead, my intention is to encourage those who have been (or may be) gifted with physical children to embrace the role with unmatched zeal and joy!
The Creation of Life
If the Lord has blessed you with a spouse and with the ability to bear children, do not take these gifts for granted. The invitation to participate in creation (Gen. 1:28) is perhaps one of the most gracious undeserved gifts the Lord has given us, aside from Christ. The theological magnitude of this “creation mandate” is given additional significance in the Great Commission—the command to fill the earth with disciples of Christ (Matt. 28:16-20). As parents, we are granted active participation in both of these mandates! We bring forth the next generation and carefully teach them to love the Lord their God (Deut. 6:4-7). This brings me to the next point.
The Stewardship of an Eternal Soul
Let that statement sink in. When we have children, we aren’t just creating a cute baby with tiny hands and huge eyes—we have created a soul that will exist forever. And as parents, it is our God-given responsibility to disciple that eternal soul, pointing them continuously to Christ (Duet. 6:4-7; Prov. 22:6; Eph. 6:4). This is not the primary role of the church, of teachers, or of the media—this charge rests on the shoulders of the parents. Although we can never do enough to elicit salvation (this is an act of God), we strive to pass down the faith granted to us (2 Tim. 1:5), doing all in our power to help our children become worshipers of the King. When we comprehend the significance of this great task, we recognize the importance of directing the first-fruits of our daily focus and energy towards the goal of raising little “disciples of Christ.”
The Opportunity to Image Christ…Constantly!
From birth to day-to-day life, mothers are always imaging Christ. Think about it—during birth, our great pain and shedding of blood brings new life, just as Christ’s labor on the cross and shedding of His own blood brings new life to His children. And daily, when we sacrifice our time, our interests, our preferences, our precious sleep, we are dying to ourselves that others might live. Through our actions, we have the opportunity to show Christ, the humble servant who gave His life for His children, to the watching world. What an honor!
In the deep hours of the night when I’m pulled from warm, cozy sleep by the hungry cries of my baby, I rub my eyes, give myself a little pep-talk, and shuffle over to his bassinet. When Caleb sees his mommy smiling down at him, arms extended, he immediately stops crying and bursts into laughter, kicking his chubby legs in anticipation of being held, loved, and tended to. Though the role can be exhausting and heavy, I have NEVER been more fulfilled. The joy I receive from being Caleb’s mommy is unmatched and such a testament to God’s immense graciousness and mercy. If God blesses you with children, pour your whole being into loving them and raising them to love Jesus. There is no other role so rewarding as motherhood (Prov. 31:28-31)!
THE EVERYDAY HOMEMAKER’S MONTHLY MEDITATION THOUGHT
God’s Word states, “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.” (Ps.127:3)
Therefore, I may boldly say, I will choose to recognize the importance of directing the first-fruits of my daily focus and energy towards the goal of nurturing little “physical and spiritual disciples of Christ.”
You might enjoy other of our Motherhood-related Posts:
“Are You Confident in God’s Love For You?”
“Have You Lost a Child Physically or Spiritually?”
“Do You Believe in the Sanctity of Life for All Tongues, Peoples, and Nations?”
“Will You Choose to be A Spiritual Mother?”
“The Quest for Becoming A Woman Who Pleases God”
Blessings on your day as you focus on making your house a home!